Location-based regulation of access

ABSTRACT

Generally, access to content may be regulated by receiving a content request initiated at a jukebox for access to a content selection, identifying a jukebox location corresponding to a location of the jukebox, determining a permissible location for rendering the content selection, relating the jukebox location to the permissible location, and enabling the content request when the permissible location supports access to the content selection from the jukebox location.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/698,017, filed Oct. 31, 2003, titled“LOCATION-BASED REGULATION OF ACCESS,” now U.S. Pat. No. 7,725,580. Thecontents of the prior application are incorporated herein by referencein their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document relates to content management using location information.

BACKGROUND

Content is being accessed through an increasingly diverse array ofdevices. For example, a music selection may be enjoyed using an opticaldisk player that is part of a stereo system, or it may be enjoyed on apersonal computer or small electronic device (e.g., a miniature jukebox)that accesses the music selection in a compressed digital format (e.g.,MP3) from some form of local or hosted storage. While consumers enjoyusing such a diverse array of devices, preventing unauthorizeddistribution of content can be difficult for content providers (e.g.,record labels, artists, and service providers) as well as tomanufacturers of consumer appliances.

SUMMARY

In one general sense, access to content may be managed by receiving acontent request initiated at a jukebox for access to a contentselection, identifying a jukebox location corresponding to a location ofthe jukebox, determining a permissible location for rendering thecontent selection, relating the jukebox location to the permissiblelocation, and enabling the content request when the permissible locationsupports access to the content selection from the jukebox location.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. Forexample, receiving a content request may include using the jukebox toread an optical disk to play the content selection, receiving a requestfrom the user to download the content selection from a host, or readinga content label associated with access to an analog content selection.Receiving the content request may include decoding a publiclydistributed signal.

Identifying the jukebox location may include using a Global PositioningSystem (GPS) receiver to determine the jukebox location associated withthe jukebox accessing the content selection, or using networkinformation associated with the jukebox generating the content requestto identify the jukebox location. Using network information to identifythe jukebox location may include correlating an Internet Protocol (IP)address with a geographical region that encompasses the jukebox.Identifying the jukebox location may include identifying a user identityassociated with the user, correlating the user identity with billinginformation, and using the billing information to identify the jukeboxlocation.

Determining the permissible location may include reading a locationlabel associated with a medium that includes the content selection, thelocation label indicating a geographical region where the contentselection may be used in the content request. Determining thepermissible location may include polling a host to identify a geographicregion where the content selection may be used in the content request.

Relating the jukebox location to the permissible location may includedetermining whether the jukebox location lies within a geographicalregion described by the permissible location. Determining whether thejukebox location lies within the geographical region may includedetermining whether the jukebox location lies within a predetermineddistance of the permissible location.

The content request may be denied when the permissible location does notsupport using the jukebox location. The content request may be enabledfor a limited period of time when the permissible location does notsupport using the jukebox location. The content request may be enabledfor a limited class of content requests when the permissible locationdoes not support using the jukebox location.

Enabling the content request for the limited class of content requestsmay include enabling read-only operations and denying copy operations.The content request may be enabled when the user registers toparticipate in a location-based content regulation system. An automatedinterface may be provided to enable the user to participate in thelocation-based content regulation system.

The details of one or more aspects are set forth in the accompanyingdrawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent fromthe description and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary jukebox in an exemplarycommunications network configured to regulate access to content usinglocation information.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary jukebox that uses locationinformation to access content.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary topology where a jukebox may be allowedto access content using location information.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary topology where a jukebox is not allowedto access content using location information.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process by which ajukebox may regulate access to content using location information.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process by which ajukebox may interface with a content provider to secure access tocontent in a location-based content regulation system.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process by which acontent selection may be enrolled in a location-based content regulationsystem.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process by which alocation-based content regulation system may be registered in a contentregulation system

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary processes by which ajukebox may process a content request in a content regulation systemthat selectively uses a location-based content regulation system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally, a jukebox regulates access to content using locationinformation. To illustrate, the jukebox may include an optical diskplayer with a GPS receiver. When a user attempts to play an optical diskusing the optical disk player of the jukebox, the GPS receiver is usedto determine the location of the optical disk player and hence thejukebox. Before, during or after this process, the optical disk playerreads the optical disk to determine whether it specifies permissible orprohibited location(s) for accessing some or all selections on theoptical disk, for example, the longitude and latitude coordinates oflocations at which access is permitted to the optical disk. Thepermissible/prohibited locations are then compared to the jukeboxlocation to determine whether to permit the attempted playback. Forexample, where the jukebox location is determined to be within aspecified radius of a permissible location, the jukebox is allowed toplay the optical disk or specific selection(s). By contrast, when thejukebox location is determined to be outside of the specified radius ofthe permissible location, the jukebox is not allowed to play the opticaldisk or specific selection(s).

Although this example describes a standalone jukebox, the jukebox mayinterface with a host to participate in a content regulation system. Thehost can be used as a content source or it may be used to distribute thecontent selection. Alternatively, the host can be used to perform one ormore operations in selectively enabling access to the content selection.For example, the host may include a regulating code segment that decideswhether the permissible location supports using the jukebox location, orthe host may maintain and provide the permissible location for a contentselection based on an identifier corresponding to the content selection.

In a framework of multiple content regulation systems, the jukebox maybe used to enroll a content selection in a location-based contentregulation system and also to selectively participate in thelocation-based content regulation system. For example, the jukebox maywrite a permissible location to an optical disk that includes thelocation of the jukebox accessing the optical disk so that subsequentaccess to the optical disk may be restricted to the location of thejukebox used to initially access the optical disk. Furthermore, theselocation-based implementations and concepts may be combined with, orenhanced or replaced by, other content-based regulation systems when thejukebox or content is being operated in an environment where othersystems provide reliable content regulation.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary communications system 100 is shownenabling an exemplary jukebox 110 to regulate access to content usinglocation information. The jukebox 110 may (1) administer thelocation-based content regulation system; (2) determine locationinformation; and (3) access one or more selections of content such asdigitally encoded songs or videos. The jukebox 110 also may receivelocation information from other geopositioning systems, as is shown bythe satellite 150. Although the jukebox 110 is shown in a communicationssystem 100, the jukebox 100 need not interface with the host 130. Forexample, the jukebox 110 may administer a location-based contentregulation system without using a host when an optical disk is encodedwith the permissible location.

The jukebox 110 is an automated appliance enabling access to one or moreselections of content using location information. The jukebox 110 mayencompass a diverse body of appliances and access content using avariety of techniques.

For example, the jukebox 110 may include a personal computer (PC), anoptical disk player, an audio consumer electronic appliance, a miniatureaudio system, a car stereo, or other device or appliance enabling a userto access a content selection, whether provided manually orelectronically. The content may be accessed by various means, includingreading an optical disk, accessing a hard drive or other form ofmagnetic media used to store content, retrieving a content selectionfrom a network, decoding or decrypting publicly distributed content fromthe airwaves, and reading an analog medium used to display content(e.g., a film projector).

As is shown in FIG. 1, the jukebox 110 includes a content system 110Aand a location system 110B. The jukebox 110 is structured to receive acontent request using the content system 110A. The jukebox 110 thenprocesses the content request using information received from thelocation system 110B in determining whether to enable the contentrequest. Generally, the content system 110A enables a user to initiate acontent request to access a piece of content. For example, the contentsystem 110A may include a keypad enabling the user to select a track onan optical disk to play. The content system 110A accesses the opticaldisk and retrieves information related to the content selection so thatthe jukebox 110 may selectively enable access to the content selection.

The content system 110A may include a communications interface enablingthe jukebox 110 to access a network 120. The content system 110A may usethe network 120 to interface with other systems such as host 130 anddatabase 140 in enabling access to content using location information.In one example, the content system 110A uses the communicationsinterface to retrieve content. In another example, the content system110A uses the communications interface to participate in a contentregulation system that selectively enables access to content. In yet athird example, the content system 110A uses the communications interfaceto receive location information (e.g., permissible location(s) foraccessing selected content) used by the jukebox in participating in alocation-based content regulation system. As an alternative to thisthird example, the content system 110A includes a processor that decodeslocation information related to content that is being accessed. Forexample, the location system 110B may read a band of locationinformation on an optical disk.

The location system 110B is configured to determine or enabledetermination of the location of the jukebox 110. The jukebox 110 mayuse the location determined by or through location system 110B to enableselective access to content. In one example, the location system 110Bincludes a GPS (“Global Positioning System”) receiver that determinesthe location of the jukebox 110 to which the location system 110B isconnected. In another example, the jukebox location system 110B mayinterface with network 120 to receive information indicating orconcerning the location of jukebox 110 (e.g., by measuring networkdistance in terms of number of hops). The location of the jukebox 110then may be used in selectively enabling access to content. As analternative to the third example, the location system 110B includes aprocessor that decodes location information related to content that isbeing accessed. For example, the location system 110B may read a band oflocation information on an optical disk.

The jukebox 110 also may include and run one or more softwareapplications. For example, the jukebox 110 may run a softwareapplication such as a rights access program, configured to administer acontent regulation program. The rights access program may be used todetermine an access right for the content. Other software applicationson the jukebox 110 may include a software application configured torender content information (e.g., a cover, lyrics, artist information,and/or purchasing information for the content). Although the jukebox 110in one sense may relate to other consumer appliances, such as a CDplayer and/or a DVD player, the jukebox 110 also may relate to moreflexible electronic equipment such as a personal computer. For example,a computer may be configured as a stereo system that runs ageneral-purpose operating system with one or more media applicationsoperating on a general operating system and a general-purpose processor.Additionally, the computer may be configured to respond to controls suchas those typically found on a stereo system (e.g., a volume controldial).

The network 120 includes hardware and/or software capable of enablingdirect or indirect communications between the jukebox 110 and the host130. As such, the network 120 may include a direct link between thejukebox 110 and the host 130, or it may include one or more networks orsubnetworks between them (not shown). Each network or subnetwork mayinclude, for example, a wired or wireless data pathway capable ofcarrying and receiving data. Examples of the delivery network includethe Internet, the World Wide Web, a WAN (“Wide Area Network”), a LAN(“Local Area Network”), analog or digital wired and wireless telephonenetworks, radio, television, cable, satellite, and/or any other deliverymechanism for carrying data.

One example of a host 130 is a general-purpose computer (e.g., a server)capable of responding to and executing instructions in a defined manner.Other examples include a personal computer, a special-purpose computer,a workstation, a device, a component, other equipment, or somecombination thereof capable of responding to and executing instructions.The host 130 may include and/or form part of an information deliverynetwork, such as, for example, the Internet, the World Wide Web, anonline service provider, and/or any other analog or digital wired and/orwireless network that provides information. Such information deliverynetworks may support a variety of online services, including Internetand/or web access, e-mail, instant messaging, paging, chat, interestgroups, audio and/or video streaming, and/or directory services.

The host 130 may receive instructions from a software application, aprogram, a piece of code, a device, a computer, a computer system, or acombination thereof that independently or collectively directsoperations of the node. The instructions may be embodied permanently ortemporarily in any type of machine, component, equipment, storagemedium, or propagated signal that is capable of being delivered to thehost 130.

In one implementation, the host 130 includes one or moreinformation-providing software applications for accessing andtransmitting requested files to the jukebox 110. Theinformation-providing applications may run on a general-purposeoperating system and a hardware platform that includes a general-purposeprocessor and/or specialized hardware. Another implementation mayinclude a reduced operating system with both general purpose andspecialized hardware to operate in mobile environments.

The database 140 may include one or more systems enabling the host 130to support information retrieval operations for the jukebox 110. In oneimplementation, the database 140 includes a licensing library enablingthe host 130 to administer a content regulation system. The licensinglibrary may associate one or more selections of content with a useridentity and/or location information regulating where the content may beaccessed.

In another implementation, the database 140 includes a content libraryenabling the host 130 to retrieve a content selection. For example, thedatabase 140 may include a volume of digitally encoded songs that theuser may be allowed to download. The host 130 may retrieve the songsfrom the database 140 and encode the songs so that the songs areselectively accessible from a location associated with the user.

The database 140 may include a table that relates a content identifierto permissible locations. Thus, a first content selection may beaccessible from a first location while a second content selection may beaccessible from a second location. A content administrator (e.g., aclerk at a retail content outlet such as a video store, or an onlinecontent administrator for the host 130) may modify one or more records,as required, to update the permissible locations and/or manage the listof content identifiers.

Satellite 150 illustrates a location signal provider enabling thejukebox 110 to regulate access to content using location information.The satellite 150 may include one or more GPS or Magellan (European)satellites providing location signals 152. The location signals may beprocessed by a location system 110B so that the jukebox may determine ajukebox location. Although a satellite 150 is shown as providing thelocation signal, other systems may be used to provide a location signal.For example, a location signal may be provided over a communicationsnetwork such as the Internet, in addition to a land-based locationsignal provider.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary jukebox 210 that maybe used to regulate access to content using location information. Forease of discussion, particular components described with respect to FIG.1 are referenced in describing jukebox 210. However, similar structuresmay be applied in other implementations where different components areused to define the structure of the system, or where the functionalityis distributed differently among the components shown by FIG. 1. Jukebox210 illustrates a configuration used to process a content request. Asshown, the jukebox 210 includes a content reader 212, an optionallocation watermark reader 213, a location processor 214, a regulatingprocessor 215, an optional communications interface 216, and an optionalinput device 217. Generally, the jukebox 210 is configured to usecontent reader 212 to read a medium when accessing a content selectionin response to a content request. The location watermark reader 213 thendetermines a permissible location related to the content selection. Thelocation processor 214 determines the jukebox location. The regulatingprocessor 215 then relates the permissible location to the jukeboxlocation and selectively enables the content request when thepermissible location supports using the jukebox location in executing acontent request.

Generally, the content reader 212 includes a system, device, or codesegment structured to receive and process a content request byrequesting or accessing a content selection. Typically, the contentreader 212 receives a user selection, for example, from the optionalinput device 217, to play or copy a content selection by reading amedium where the content selection is located. For example, the contentreader 212 may include an optical disk reader that reads an optical diskto retrieve a content selection. The content reader 212 is not limitedto an optical disk player, nor is the content reader limited toaccessing a particular form of content such as audio or video content.For example, the content reader 212 may include a film projectoraccessing a film reel display system, or PC accessing a computer game.The content reader 212 also may access one or more selections of contentthat do not reside on the jukebox 210. For example, the content reader212 may use the communications interface 217 to access selections ofcontent hosted on a network.

The location watermark reader 213 determines a permissible locationrelated to the content selection. For example, the location watermarkreader 213 may read location information residing on a medium thecontent reader 212 is accessing. In particular, an optical disk mayinclude one or more parameters indicating one or more locations wherethe content may be accessed. Alternatively, the location watermarkreader 213 may poll the host to determine a permissible location.

The location watermark reader 213 may use different formats to representthe permissible location. In one example, the location watermark reader213 may use a longitude/latitude coordinate system to indicate where thecontent selection may be accessed. In another example, the locationwatermark reader 213 may use a mailing address (e.g., street address,city, state, and zip code) or region (e.g., zip code, county) toindicate where the content selection may be accessed. The locationwatermark reader 213 also may use a modifier indicating a margin oferror, radius, or zone around an identified location in which thecontent request may be performed. In one example, the modifier includesa radius around an identified longitude/latitude to describe apermissible location where content request may be supported. In anotherexample, the modifier includes a non-uniform region describing where thecontent may be accessed (e.g., a plot of property or a zip code). Thelocation watermark reader 213 may read a modifier supplied by thecontent, the jukebox 210, and/or the host 130. For example, the locationwatermark reader 213 may read modifier information in the same readoperation used to identify a location in reading an optical disk.Alternatively, the location watermark reader 213 may be configured touse a modifier configured for the jukebox 210. For example, the locationwatermark reader 213 may be configured to use a modifier with a radiusof 100 meters. The location watermark reader 213 may be configured touse the communications interface 216 to receive modifier informationfrom a host (e.g., host 130).

The location watermark reader 213 may use different modifiers based onthe content selection being accessed. For example, a digital filmprojector accessing a digital film for a prerelease event may use arestrictive modifier to preclude inappropriate or unauthorized use. Incontrast, promotional material being widely distributed may use amodifier that enables access to the content selection in a much largergeographic region.

The location processor 214 includes a system, device, or code segmentthat determines a jukebox location for the jukebox 210 where the contentrequest is being executed. For example, the location processor 214 mayinclude a GPS receiver that provides GPS coordinates for the jukebox210. The location processor 214 may use a variety of formats to describethe jukebox location, including geographic formats described withrespect to the location watermark reader 213. For example, the locationprocessor 214 may use a mailing address or identify a region to describethe jukebox location. However, the location processor 214 need not usethe same format used by the location watermark reader 213. Thus, thelocation watermark reader 213 may use a mailing address, while thelocation processor 214 uses GPS coordinates (e.g., longitude andlatitude).

The location processor 214 may use a communications interface 216 toidentify a jukebox location. For example, the location processor 214 mayexchange information with a host 130 to identify the jukebox 210. In oneinstance, the location processor provides a serial number for thejukebox 210. The host (e.g., host 130) may receive the information,process the information, and return a jukebox location for the jukebox210. Thus, the host (e.g., host 130) may correlate a jukebox serialnumber with a customer account, correlate the customer account with abilling address, and return the billing address to the jukebox 210. Inanother example, the host (e.g., host 130) may analyze an IP (“InternetProtocol”) address used by the jukebox, correlate the IP address with ageographic location or a region, and return the geographic location orregion as a jukebox location.

The regulating processor 215 includes a system, device, or code segmentthat relates the permissible location with the jukebox location. Byrelating the permissible location to the jukebox location, theregulating processor 215 may selectively regulate access to the contentselection. When the regulating processor 215 determines that the jukebox210 (e.g., the jukebox location) is located within a region allowed forby the content (e.g., the permissible location), the regulatingprocessor 215 may enable access to the content selection. When thejukebox 210 lies outside the region allowed for by the content, theregulating processor 215 may deny access to the content selection.

Of course, more precise and granular regulating operations may besupported. For instance, the regulating processor 215 may allow “play”or “read” operations to be performed but deny “copy” operations when thepermissible location does not support the jukebox location. In anotherinstance, the regulating processor 215 may allow access to the contentfor a limited period of time. Thus, the regulating processor 215 mayallow the content to be accessed for a limited time when initiallyaccessing a content selection. At the expiration of the limited time,the regulating processor 215 may be further limit or deny access to thecontent unless the user has registered to participate in a contentregulation system (e.g., a license management program). The regulatingprocessor 215 may use the communications interface 215 to receiveupdates or messages related to participation in a content regulationsystem.

An optional communications interface 216 enables the jukebox 210 to usenetwork to exchange information with a host or database. For instance,with an optional communications interface 216, network 120, host 130 anddatabase 140 may be used by jukebox 210 for information exchange. Thecommunications interface 216 may exchange information to manage acontent regulation, access content, or provide user services.

The communications interface 216 need not use two-way communications.For example, the communications interface 216 may be used to receiveover-the-air rekeying and licensing information to configure the jukebox210.

Although the jukebox 210 may include a communications interface 216, thejukebox 210 also may be configured to operate as a standalone system.Thus, the jukebox 210 may include an optical disk player that uses a GPSreceiver and location information on an optical disk in regulatingselective access to content.

The jukebox 210 also may include an optional input device 217. In oneimplementation, the input device 217 may include controlling buttons toaccess an optical disk (e.g., PLAY, FAST FORWARD, REWIND, Next-Track,Previous Track). The input device 217 may include specialized keys tosupport location services. For example, the input device 217 may includekeys that write location information to the disc to bind a particularpermissible location for a content selection to a jukebox location.Thus, the input device 217 could be used to receive a medium that hasnot been formatted for a location, and format the medium to one or morelocations.

The input device 217 may include other forms of devices. In oneimplementation, a keyboard may be used enabling the user to register andparticipate in a content regulation system. In another implementation, apointer may be used to control a selection icon appearing in a LCD(“Liquid Crystal Display”).

Referring to FIG. 3, an exemplary topology 300 illustrates how access tocontent may be enabled when the location for a jukebox 210 lies within aradius of a permissible location for a content selection. For ease ofdiscussion, particular components described with respect to FIG. 1 arereferenced in describing topology 300. However, similar methodologiesmay be applied in other implementations where different components areused to define the structure of the system, or where the functionalityis distributed differently among the components shown by FIG. 1.Topology 300 illustrates a configuration where the jukebox locationsupports access to content.

In topology 300, a jukebox 210 resides within a radius (e.g., themodifier for location watermark reader 213) allowed for by thepermissible location 310 for the content selection. The jukebox 210 isshown as using a GPS receiver to determine a jukebox location. Since thejukebox location lies within the region allowed for by the permissiblelocation, display device 320 is enabled to display content, which inthis case includes a movie.

In contrast, FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary topology 400 where thepermissible location 410 does not support the jukebox location.Specifically, the jukebox 210 reads a permissible location 410 for themovie being accessed. Since the jukebox location lies outside of thepermissible location 410, the content request for the jukebox 210 isdenied, and the display device 420 does not display the movie.

Referring to FIG. 5, flow chart 500 illustrates an exemplary process bywhich a jukebox 210 may regulate access to content using locationinformation. For ease of discussion, particular components describedwith respect to FIG. 1 are referenced as performing the operations shownin flow chart 500. However, similar methodologies may be applied inother implementations where different components are used to define thestructure of the system, or where the functionality is distributeddifferently among the components shown by FIG. 1. Flow chart 500illustrates how the systems described previously may operate inregulating access to content based on location.

Initially, a jukebox 210 receives a content request (510). In oneexample, receiving a content request includes reading an optical disk inan optical disk player and receiving a “play” command (e.g., by pressingplay) read a content selection. In another example, receiving a contentrequest may include receiving a user request to download a contentselection from a host 130 on the Internet.

The jukebox 210 identifies a jukebox location (515). Generally,identifying a jukebox location may include identifying geographic regionor location where the jukebox 210 is processing the content request.Identifying a jukebox location may be performed by receiving a jukeboxlocation from a location signal provider (520). This may include, forexample, receiving one or more GPS signals and using a GPS receiver todetermine the location of the jukebox. In another example, identifying ajukebox location may include exchanging information with a host 130 todetermine a jukebox location.

The jukebox 210 determines a permissible location (530). For example,determining a permissible location may include reading a medium with anoptical disc describing where the content selection may be accessed.Determining a permissible location may include identifying a coordinatelocation, and then identifying a region or region within a radius aroundthe coordinate location. In one example, determining a permissiblelocation may include receiving permissible radius or region informationfrom the jukebox. Thus, determining a permissible location may includeidentifying a region that is within a specified distance of a coordinatelocation. This region may include, but is not limited to, a circularregion defined by a radius, a particular address or street, or a plot ofproperty. Identifying a permissible location may include translatinglocation information from one format to another format. For example,identifying a permissible location may include receiving GPS coordinatesand associating the GPS coordinates with a street address. Identifyingthe permissible location then may include using a street address as thepermissible location.

Identifying a permissible location may include identifying a permissiblelocation that varies with the operation being performed. Thus, when acontent request includes a request to play a content selection, a radiusaround a coordinate location may be used. The radius may encompassseveral street addresses. When the content request includes a request tocopy a copy selection, the copy operation may be limited to a smallergeographic region, such as a single street address, a particular set oflocation coordinates, or a region with a smaller radius.

Identifying the permissible location may include identifying auser-selected region, a player-defined region, a media/disk-definedregion, and/or an industry standard. Identifying a user-selected regionas the permissible location may include a permissible location specifiedwhen a user purchases a content selection. For example, a user maydownload or order a content selection from an Internet-based retailer.In purchasing the content selection, the address of the purchasing usermay be used to specify the permissible location. In another example, theuser may specify a location, region, or geographic footprint where theuser may use the content selection. For example, a user may purchase arestricted license to access licensed content (e.g., a content selectionsuch as an executable program) in a limited manner. A less restrictivelicense may be purchased to access the licensed content in a lessrestrictive manner. Thus, the restricted license may be limited to aparticular street or county while a less restrictive license sold as apremium license may be used across multiple counties, a state, ornationally.

The permissible location may be associated with a user identity. A firstuser identity may be associated with a restricted permissible locationwhile a second user may be associated with a less restricted permissiblelocation. The first user may include a recipient of promotional materialmailed to a particular address while the second user may include a userthat has purchased the promotional material. Accordingly, the accessrights of the first user may be limited to reduce the likelihood ofmisuse of the promotional material while the second user may enjoyincreased access to reduce the likelihood of problems associated with anoverly restricted access.

The jukebox relates the jukebox location to the permissible location(540). The jukebox 210 then determines if the permissible locationsupports the jukebox location (550). For example, the jukebox 210 maydetermine if the jukebox 210 lies within a region described by theoptical disc. Although relating the permissible location to thetransaction orientation may include a binary response indicating whetheror not the transaction supports permissible location, relating thejukebox location to the permissible location may include scoring arelative proximity. Using a relative proximity may allow a licensingmanager to develop a profile before implementing a rule set and also totailor the proximity to various demographics. For example, somegeographic regions may require a higher geographic allowance toaccommodate various user activities. In contrast, other regions mayallow a license manager to reduce the size of the permissible locationto accommodate dense population densities. Still other examples mayallow a license manager to review the impact of various proposed rulesets to decide how the location-based content regulation system mayoperate. For example, the license manager may receive reports of contentrequests and receive analytic reports of the jukebox operations (e.g.,75% of users operate within 50 meters of the permissible location). Thelicense manager then may use an automated tool to review the impact tousers of using a different radius to define a permissible location.Thus, the license manager may avoid implementing a rule set that wouldresult in an excessive failure rate.

If the permissible location does support the jukebox location, thejukebox 210 may enable the content request (560). If not, the jukebox210 denies the content request (570).

The jukebox 210 may prompt the user to enroll in the location basedcontent regulation system (580). For example, a PC user who has beendeemed access may be asked to use an online registration form to enrollor otherwise enable access. Similarly, a user of an optical disk drivemay be asked to initialize a medium with the content selection so thatthe permissible location becomes that of the present operating locationof the optical disk player when the optical disk player is initialized.Thus, in one exemplary use, instances of the content selection may bewidely distributed without requiring that the instances be associatedwith a particular location in advance. To prevent the instances frombeing improperly used, access to the content may be restricted (e.g.,the content may be played a limited number of times) until the userenrolls in a location-based content regulation system. When the userenrolls in the location-based content regulation system, the contentrequest may be enabled (590).

Referring to FIG. 6, a flow chart 600 illustrates an exemplary processby which a jukebox 210 may interface with a host 130 to participate in alocation-based content regulation system. For ease of discussion,particular components described with respect to FIG. 1 are referenced asperforming the operations shown in flow chart 600. However, similarmethodologies may be applied in other implementations where differentcomponents are used to define the structure of the system, or where thefunctionality is distributed differently among the components shown byFIG. 1. The flow chart 600 illustrates how the host 130 may decidewhether to enable the content request.

Initially, the jukebox 210 receives and transmits a user selection (605and 610). This may include the user of a network-enabled optical diskdrive pressing play when accessing an optical disk. The user selectionthen may be structured as a content request. The host 130 receives theuser selection (615). Receiving the user selection may include receivinga description of the content request (e.g., the name or serial number ofthe content selection) and a user identifier. The host 130 challengesthe jukebox 210 for the location of the jukebox 210 (620). The jukebox210 receives the challenge and identifies a jukebox location (625). Thejukebox 210 transmits the jukebox location (e.g., the jukebox location)to the host 130 (630).

The host 130 determines the permissible location for the content request(635). The jukebox 210 relates the permissible location to the jukeboxlocation (640) and determines if the permissible location supports thejukebox location (645). If so, the host 210 enables the content request(650). In turn, the jukebox enables the user selection (655). If not,the host 130 denies the content request (660). As a result, the jukebox210 denies the user selection (665).

Referring to FIG. 7, a flow chart 700 illustrates an exemplary processby which a content selection may be enrolled in a location-based contentregulation system. For ease of discussion, particular componentsdescribed with respect to FIG. 1 are referenced as performing theoperations shown in flow chart 700. However, similar methodologies maybe applied in other implementations where different components are usedto define the structure of the system, or where the functionality isdistributed differently among the components shown by FIG. 1. The flowchart 700 illustrates how a content selection not geocoded, that is, notpreviously associated with a geographic location, may be geocoded toparticipate in a location-based content regulation system to enableaccess to the content selection.

Initially, the jukebox 210 reads the content selection at a firstlocation (710). The jukebox 210 determines if the selection is geocoded(720). If so, the jukebox 210 may regulate access to the selection usingthe operations described previously with respect to FIGS. 5-6 (725). Ifnot, the jukebox 210 polls the user to determine if the user wants togeocode the content (730). If so, the jukebox 210 geocodes the contentwith a location (740).

In one example, the location of the content access system is used as thelocation to which the content is geocoded. In another example, the useris prompted to enter location information. The user may be prompted toenter an address. The jukebox 210, working either alone or inconjunction with the host 130, may translate the address or informationprovided to a coordinate location so that the coordinate location may begeocoded as the permissible location for the content selection. With thecontent selection geocoded, the content request is enabled (750).

If the user does not geocode the content, the jukebox 210 denies thecontent request (760). Similarly, if the user attempts to execute acontent request at a second location different than the permissiblelocation associated with the content selection (770), the contentrequest is denied (760).

Although flow chart 700 describes a jukebox 210 that allows the contentto be geocoded with one location, other systems may allow thepermissible location to be specified for multiple locations and/ormultiple devices. Thus, a jukebox 210 could accommodate a user whoaccessed the same content selection at a primary residence, a summerhome, and a winter home.

In one example, allowing the user to geocode content may reduce theoperations that a content provider is required to perform in advance ofdistributing the content selection. A content provider can distribute acontent selection without specifying a permissible location for thecontent selection. By allowing the user to geocode the contentselection, the content provider may reduce the complexity ofmanufacturing operations in that the permissible location does not needto be gathered and associated with a content selection. In addition,inventory management may be simplified, as a particular contentselection is not restricted to a specified permissible location and maybe sold a larger customer community than the customer communityassociated with a specified permissible location.

Referring to FIG. 8, a flow chart 800 illustrates an exemplary processby which a location-based content regulation system may be registered ina content regulation system. For example, the flow chart 800 illustrateshow the location-based content regulation system may be used for devicesassociated with a fixed location while alternative content regulationsystems may be used for mobile devices such as a car stereo or miniatureelectronic device. For ease of discussion, particular componentsdescribed with respect to FIG. 1 are referenced as performing theoperations shown in flow chart 800. However, similar methodologies maybe applied in other implementations where different components are usedto define the structure of the system, or where the functionality isdistributed differently among the components shown by FIG. 1.

Initially, a jukebox 210 receives a user selection (810). The userselection is then transmitted to the host 130 (820). This may includeframing the user selection as a content request. The host 130, in turn,receives the user selection (830).

The host 130 determines if the user is accessing the content from adevice that supports geocoding (840). If not, the jukebox 210 uses analternative content regulation system to process the content request(850). For example, the host 130 may determine that the user isaccessing the content from a car stereo that cannot be incorporated intoan existing location-based content regulation system. Accordingly, thecar stereo may participate in a content regulation system oriented to aserial number for the content selection. By using a location-basedcontent regulation system where appropriate and using other contentregulation systems in other instances, the host 130 allows thelocation-based regulation system to be used where appropriate whilereducing the interruption a user may experience where performance of thelocation-based regulation system is uncertain or problematic or whereanother content regulation may achieve superior results without the riskof user interruption.

If the jukebox 210 supports the location-based content regulationsystem, the host may determine if the user wants to geocode content(860). If so, the jukebox 210 geocodes the content selection for thefirst location (870), and enables the content request (880). If not, thehost 130 may instruct the jukebox 210 to deny access to the contentselection (890).

Referring to FIG. 9, a flow chart 900 illustrates an exemplary processby which a jukebox 210 may participate in a location-based contentregulation system in an environment that includes multiple contentregulation systems. For ease of discussion, particular componentsdescribed with respect to FIG. 1 are referenced as performing theoperations shown in flow chart 900. However, similar methodologies maybe applied in other implementations where different components are usedto define the structure of the system, or where the functionality isdistributed differently among the components shown by FIG. 1.

Initially, the jukebox 210 receives a user selection (910). The jukebox210 determines if the user is accessing the content from a device thatsupports geocoding (915). If not, the jukebox 210 may use an alternativecontent regulation system (920). This may include enabling temporary orlimited access to the content selection until the user participates in alocation-based content regulation system. If the jukebox 210 doessupport geocoding, the jukebox 210 may identify a jukebox location(925). For example, the jukebox 210 may use a GPS receiver to identifythe jukebox location for the jukebox 210. The jukebox 210 thendetermines the permissible location for the content (930), and relatesthe jukebox location to the permissible location (935). When thepermissible location supports the jukebox location (940), the contentrequest is enabled (945). If not, the content request may be denied.

Other implementations are within the scope of the following claims. Forexample, a location-based content regulation system may use differentpermissible locations that relate to different operating environments.For example, an optical disk being accessed by a fixed optical diskplayer may be limited to operating in a smaller geographic region.However, when the optical disk is accessed by an optical disk player ina car stereo, the optical disk may be accessible in a larger geographicregion. This may include enabling the optical disk player in the carstereo to access the optical disk throughout a state or multistateregion. Another implementation may include associating the optical diskwith a counter or timer that enables the optical disk to be inadditional regions so long as the optical disk player is accessed aspecified percentage of time (e.g., 80%) from a base region or homelocation. Still other implementations may feature a tiered regulationsystem where wider access to content is available under a different ormore comprehensive licensing plan. Thus, a user that requires nationwideaccess to content may be required to purchase a more expensive licenseto support their content access needs.

Although the systems and operations have been described using a jukebox,the label ‘jukebox’ may include a number of content access systems thatappear in different forms. For example, the operations describedpreviously may be used in a digital cinema system in a theater, apersonal computer, a wireless phone, and/or other device. Additionally,the operations described previously also may be used to accommodate amobile appliance (e.g., a car stereo) in conjunction with other contentlicensing/management systems. For example, the operations describedpreviously may be invoked when other management systems are problematic.For example, the content may be licensed and authorized on particularserial numbers of mobile appliances. If the content is no longer beingaccessed on the mobile appliance, the location-based regulation systemmay be used. Thus, an optical disk may be electronically tied a carstereo and a miniature reader. When the optical disk is no longer readfrom the mobile device, access to the optical disk may be regulatedusing the location of a jukebox.

Although an optical disk was described in some of the examples, otherphysical media or electronic files themselves may be regulatedsimilarly.

1. A method of managing of enabling a wireless device access to contenton a host, the method comprising: receiving, from a wireless device andacross a wireless communications network, a content request from anapplication on the wireless device that administers a content regulationsystem; receiving, in association with the content request and from thewireless device, a coordinate location for the wireless device from theapplication on the wireless device that administers the contentregulation system; determining whether the wireless device is permittedto access content associated with the content request; enabling thewireless device to access the content; identifying, based on thecoordinate location, a permissible location for the wireless device; andconfiguring, using the permissible location, the content regulationsystem so that the content may be accessed by the application within thepermissible location.